His agent Terry Baker told BBC Radio Five: “He won’t thank me for saying but he needs to immediately get help.

“Whatever’s happened to him in the five or six weeks since I saw him before Christmas, he is not as well as he has been.

“He’s been absolutely fine, he really has, and now he isn’t. But I think he knows that.

“His life is always in danger because he is an alcoholic. Maybe no-one can save him – I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

The 45-year-old appeared to be unwell and trembling at a charity appearance in Northampton on Thursday.

Gascoigne, who has spoken about alcoholism problems in the past and was sectioned five years ago under the Mental Health Act, was said to be shaking and slurred his words on stage at the charity event.

After news broke of the setback in his battle against booze, messages of support have flooded in for the footballer.

Players’ chief Gordon Taylor fears Paul Gascoigne could be heading the same way as George Best – but vowed the Professional Footballers’ Association will not be giving up on the troubled former England midfielder.

He said: “We have tried to support him throughout all his problems with rehabilitation at various clinics, with medical help,” Mr Taylor said.

“We are in regular touch with him and have been again. We go one step forward and two back at times and this is just the situation.

“If we are not careful, it is going to be akin to George Best. It is unfortunate, but we try to keep going.”

Mr Taylor spoke to Gascoigne yesterday, and added: “I offered all our help that he needs.

“It is just sometimes, it is down to the individual – it is down to him, and he just knows we are here for him whenever he needs us. We are not going to give up on him.

“He still feels he is capable of getting back on track and it is a relapse he has had.

“I can only say, whatever help he needs, he must come on board and we will help to provide it.

“I think he does need specialist care and a very strong 24-hour support system, but again, it needs him to be part of that.”

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who played with Gazza at the 1990 World Cup, wrote on Twitter: “I can only hope he finds peace somehow, but fear those hopes may be forlorn.”

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said: “We are all responsible for how we live our lives. But that doesn’t mean we can’t step in and help, and I think the footballing community, as the family we at times claim to be, must do more to help Gazza and others like him.”